Iranian Navy's flotilla of warships sets sail for high seas

A flotilla of Iranian warships has left the country’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas for high seas on a routine mission to maintain the Islamic Republic’s power in international waters.

The 50th naval fleet, comprised of Tunb logistic-combat warship and Shaheed Naqdi and Bayandor destroyers, embarked on the voyage on Tuesday through a ceremony attended by Commander of Moqaddam Naval Base Rear Admiral Afshin Tashk.

He said the flotilla aims to display high capabilities of the Iranian naval forces and added that it is imperative for a strategic force to have presence in the high seas.

He noted that the fleet also seeks to counter efforts to spread Iranophobia, gain regional intelligence and cooperate with naval forces of different countries.

In recent years, Iran’s Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.

In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, safeguarding merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.

Iran’s Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters.